Van Driver Toolkit – Eyesight & Medical Conditions

Did you know?

  • Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 if they do not inform DVLA about a medical condition that affects their driving.
  • It is an offence for drivers to refuse to submit to an eyesight test when requested to by the police.
  • Drivers may be prosecuted if involved in an accident because of their known medical condition.
The Road Traffic Act 1988 creates the offence of driving with ‘uncorrected defective eyesight’ and drivers could be prosecuted if they drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving. Before driving any vehicle, the driver is legally required to ensure they meet the minimum eyesight rules. Drivers must be able to read a vehicle number plate made after 1st Sept 2001 from 20 metres (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary). More Info There are medical conditions that could affect the ability to drive safely. Drivers are legally responsible for informing DVLA if they have a driving licence and develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability. Also, a condition or disability that has got worse since they got their licence. Notifiable conditions are anything that could affect the ability to drive safely. Visit www.gov.uk and search for ‘driving medical conditions’ Drivers must wear glasses or contact lenses every time they drive if they need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’. Drivers must tell DVLA of any problem with their eyesight that affects both of their eyes, or the remaining eye if they only have one eye. This does not include being short or long sighted or colour blindness. Drivers must give up their licence if the doctor tells them to stop driving for 3 months or more, or if they do not meet the required standards for driving because of a medical condition. Drivers can apply to get their licence back when they meet the medical standards for driving again.

Provider: Driving for Better Business, National Highways
Resource Type: Web link

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